President Uhuru set to visit UK and China this month

President Uhuru Kenyatta PHOTO:COURTESY

President Uhuru Kenyatta has a busy month with international engagements that include visits to London and China.

The is expected to attend the opening session of the 26th Governing Council of the United Nations Human Settlement Programme in Nairobi.

The conference is expected to set the political tone and shape the implementation of the New Urban Agenda. The conference, whose theme is ‘Opportunities for effective implementation of the New Urban Agenda’ will run until May 12.

State House Spokesman Manoah Esipisu said the President would also host Benin President Patrice Talon within the week.

Uhuru will then travel to London to attend the Third London Conference on Somalia on May 11.

The conference follows the previous two where the international community agreed to inject new momentum into the political process to stabilise Somalia. They resolved to strengthen Amisom and help Somalia develop its own security forces as well as tackle pirates and terrorists.

After the London conference, the President will head to China to attend the Belt and Road Forum.

Uhuru will join 28 others heads of state at the leaders’ roundtable summit on May 15. The forum’s theme is ‘Strengthening International Co-operation and Co-building the ‘Belt and Road’ for Win-Win Development’.

The forum focuses on the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road initiated by China. Kenya is part of the countries covered by the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road.

“The initiative aims to promote common development through a win-win co-operation,” said Mr Esipisu when he briefed the Press at State House in Nairobi.

SIGNIFICANT PROJECTS

On a bilateral level, relations between Kenya and China remain strong and Kenya has benefited through significant projects including the Standard Gauge Railway and the first three berths at Lamu Port.

The President’s busy official schedule comes as he is also preparing to hit the campaign trail ahead of the August elections.

During his briefing, Esipisu also spoke about the Government’s plan to tackle the rising costs of maize flour.

He said the National Treasury was working on the budget plan to come up with a sustainable solution.